Salt Question

[pkane11384]

What does everyone use? I've been using Instant Ocean Reef Crystals for the last year and want to switch. I've been thinking about Brightwell Aquatics or Red Sea. Anyone use either of these and know if they can be bought in the tri-state area?

 

[Jaftica]

Why are you switching? I've been using rc for years never had any problems with it, levels are pretty consistent, and mixes up nice, and best of all it's only @$45.00 for a 200 gallon box, lol

 

[pkane11384]

Want to try something different to see if I can get better growth on my corals

 

[TUSI]

I used tropic marine pro switched to Red Sea pro to reef crystal . They are all pretty good but I think the tropic marine pro is the best I found so I switched back. The only thing you have to add a little buffer on every mix. It's clean it mix really nice and the colors on my SPS are better. It's expensive though

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Red Sea coral pro

 

[pkane11384]

I used tropic marine pro switched to Red Sea pro to reef crystal . They are all pretty good but I think the tropic marine pro is the best I found so I switched back. The only thing you have to add a little buffer on every mix. It's clean it mix really nice and the colors on my SPS are better. It's expensive though

Why are you adding buffer?

 

[TUSI]

Cause the alkalinity in tropic marine is a little low. If you look at the additives and trace elements it has compared to others tropic Marine pro has more

 

[yesjenks]

ESV. It requires a little more effort to mix, but well worth it!!

 

[duke62]

I just switched to esv did all new water besides 50 gallons of old water that was RC and all I can say is my corals polyps are exploding. Never seen such polyp extension before

 

[greenstreet.1]

Esv and love it can mix it to the levels I want.

 

[MikeC]

Esv and love it can mix it to the levels I want.

I use ESV also and love it but do you mind telling me how you mix it to the levels you want?

 

[MikeC]

I'm pretty certan you can only mix it to the salinity you want and the ALK & Ca will be what it will be for that level, but don't think you can mix it for Alk or Ca levels you desire unless thous levels fall under 1.024,1.025,1.026 salinity.

 

[pkane11384]

I'm pretty certan you can only mix it to the salinity you want and the ALK & Ca will be what it will be for that level, but don't think you can mix it for Alk or Ca levels you desire unless thous levels fall under 1.024,1.025,1.026 salinity.

Can you go into a bit more detail? I was just looking at this salt and I may consider it. Can you explain to how you prep your WC water with this mix?

 

[MikeC]

Ok hear are the directions
But basically you have 4 parts that get mixed in order to your RODI
I use a scale from staples to do my measurements.

 

[pkane11384]

Cool. Thanks for info

 

[BAD FISH]

I use red sea love it but my buddy from Mr mgulli has switched to esv and his tank has really takin off with way brighter colors,poylp extension, and growth he swears by this salt and has me really considering switching.

 

[duke62]

I cant agree more so far with your friend. Though its to soon to tell with growth my polyps are exploding. My ORA metallic green birdsnest looks like its stretching. My few acros are also showing extra ordinary polyp extension. Cant wait to see everything in a couple months

 

[greenstreet.1]

I use ESV also and love it but do you mind telling me how you mix it to the levels you want?

Ok Mike I just seen this I mix the salt first to 1.026 then I add mag to reach 1350 then A for cal until 421 ish then B for alk at 8.4 that's how I do and it works for me same as the instructions but I mix to my tank levels. Hope that helps.

 

[piranhapat]

I have tried ESV and Salinity,H2O, Oceanic, IO, RC, Coralife. The only difference I found was price. Currently using Salinity by seachem. Like it but price seems to go up every time I order 225 gal. At $70 it was excellent but now up to $90. Same deal with ESV when first came out. I paid $70 for 200 gal. Regular price now is $90 too. I have Only SPS tank. I didn't see difference in color or growth between top brands. The more I read from the best SPS tanks. Most are using IO or RC. So paid the extra money for fancy marketing. I don't think they is any difference between one or the others. I think the best salt is whatever you use. Is that your water levels stay at the right levels all the time. Bottom line they is no magical Salt that is better than the other. If you feel that paying more will help your colors and growth. Go for it. I'm switching back to the one with best price and at cheaper cost you can do more water changes. Always when new Salt comes out. They prices are good and after a year they sky rocket. Or at times they will have great sales on the salt so you can try. They all have good points from one mixing better than next. ESV is without the best for clarity. But they all work the same......:bablefish

 

[greenstreet.1]

I agree with you. But for me is about control that is why I went with esv I was using brightwell before and it was good the problem was that
If I mix to 1.026 I was not able to control the other levels to where I want so I went with esv.also Gotham have it for $70 and some spots have it for less if you don't mind the travel.
This is why I like esv salt.